The Director General of Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (ABSACA), Dr Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu has called for more Media collaboration in the State to Prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Dr Uloaku made the call during a one day sensitization meeting for Media houses on emerging issues on HIV prevention held in Umuahia.
She also said that the treatment of HIV is part of the measures to prevent the spread in the disease society.
According to her, anyone whose viral load is supressed cannot transfer the virus to another person. She added that Abia State is among the highest prevalence states in Nigeria with 2.1 percent, which means that in every one hundred Abians, at least two persons have human immuno virus,HIV, while the prevalence is low in the urban areas. As part of their effort in prevention of HIV, she disclosed that State Agency for the Control of AIDS, SACA has trained students in 52 secondary schools across the three senatorial zones of Abia State.
Dr Uloaku identified Ukwa East local government area as the highest prevalence LGAs with 2.28 percent in Abia State followed by Ikwuano 2.38 percent, Obingwa has 2.29 percent, Bende, Isukwuato, etc. She noted that the highest prevalence LGAs are those close to Akwa Ibom that are highest in the South South region of Nigeria. Dr Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu stated that those who inject drugs with same needle and those who indulge in anal sex are key population that spread the virus, stressing that it is dangerous to stop half way when somone starts treatment.
The public health physician maintained that they are collaborating with four ministries in Abia namely Ministry of health, education, women affairs and Ministry of youth development to help drive their programs and sensitize the public on the right information about HIV/AIDS.
Uloaku disclosed that 2018 survey shows that Akwa Ibom state is the highest prevalence state in Nigeria.
Also in their lectures, Mrs Ekeoma Chigozie Akidi and Madam Munachi Aguwamba urged people to eschew all forms of stigma associated with people living with HIV/AIDS.
While emphasizing that people must remain faithful to their partners, abstain from unprotected sex, as well as avoid contaiminated blood, Mrs Akidi and Madam Munachi said that the main causes of stigma are insuficient knowledge, wrong beliefs and fears about how HIV is transmitted and potential lenght of life,/capacity of people living with HIV etc.
They however identified the objectives of the meeting to include, to help in shaping public perception and attitude towards HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV by the media. Others are to reduce stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS and to encourage proper reporting.
The director general of of ABSACA, Dr Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu, Mrs Ekeoma Chigozie Akidi and Madam Munachi Aguwamba therefore identified the media as an essential stakeholder and partner in combating HIV/AIDS.
They further commended Governor Alex Otti for his massive support to see that the agency achieve their goals to achieve 95 percent capacity to fund their programs before 2030 because the donor agencies would stop their support.
